Mandarin tree named ‘Patensie Early’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct mandarin tree characterized by a ripening 2 3 weeks earlier than ‘Nadorcott’, having better rind quality (e.g., smoother rind, less prone to sunburn, less ridging, firmer peel, and a lighter color with an attractive blush), and a more round shape than ‘Nadorcott’.

Genus and species: Citrus reticulata.

Variety denomination: ‘PATENSIE EARLY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of a mandarin tree named ‘Patensie Early’, which originated from a spontaneous mutant of ‘Nadorcott’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,480). The new mandarin variety has an earlier ripening time and improved rind quality as compared to ‘Nadorcott’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following unique combination of characteristics that are outstanding in the new mandarin variety and distinguish it from ‘Nadorcott’, as well as from all other varieties of which I am aware:

-   -   1. Earlier ripening (2-3 weeks earlier than ‘Nadorcott’) due to         earlier rind color development and lower acidity;     -   2. Better rind quality, namely smoother rind, less prone to         sunburn, less ridging (radial grooves), firmer peel, lighter         color with an attractive orange blush;     -   3. Less flattened and more round fruit shape compared with         ‘Nadorcott.’.

Additional details on how the two varieties can be distinguished is shown below.

‘Nadorcott’ ‘Patensie Early’ Fruit Shape Oblate to deeply oblate; Slightly oblate; approximately typically 0.80 H:D ratio 0.85 H:D ratio of height to with flatter appearance diameter; rounder appearance than ‘Nadorcott’ fruit Fruit Height ±48 mm 37 to 53 mm Fruit ±60 mm 42 to 62 mm Diameter Fruit Stem- Radial grooves or ribbing Ribbing is typically absent to end are present (FIG. 5) very slight (see FIG. 5) Skin 2.8 to 3.5 mm 2.5 to 3.0 mm Thickness Rind color RHS yellow-green 147B RHS yellow-green 147B with immature earlier color break than ‘Nadorcott’ (see FIGS. 4 & 6) Rind color Deep orange (RHS Deep orange (RHS orange mature orange N25B) with N25B) (see FIG. 5); later color development salmon pink albedo than ‘Patensie Early’ (RHS orange 24D) (see FIGS 4, 5, 6); salmon pink albedo (RHS orange 24D) Maturity Late-June through early- 2 to 3 weeks earlier than period August in South Africa ‘Nadorcott’ due to earlier rind color and lower acidity (June 6 to July 25 in South Africa) Eating quality Very good at maturity, Typically +12°Brix and 1.0 to (at but higher acidity when 1.2% acidity and comparable maturity) ‘Patensie Early’ is with ‘Nadorcott’ when at optimal maturity, ‘Nadorcott’ achieves maturity; i.e., ‘Nadorcote is later lower acidity than ‘Nadorcott’ maturing combined with earlier color development result in earlier maturity than ‘Nadorcott’

This new cultivar has been reproduced only by asexual propagation (by budwood), in Patensie, Eastern Cape South Africa. Each of the progeny exhibits identical characteristics to the original plant. Asexual propagation by budwood, as done in Patensie, Eastern Cape South Africa, shows that the foregoing characteristics and distinctions come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may change with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the leaves, flowers, and fruit of this new variety depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

FIG. 1 shows leaves on a ‘Patensie Early’ tree. The leaves of ‘Patensie Early’ are similar in leaf shape and size, but slightly paler in color, compared with leaves of ‘Nadorcott’ under the same condition.

FIG. 2 shows flowers on a of ‘Patensie Early’ tree, which are similar to those found on ‘Nadorcott’.

FIG. 3 shows fruit from ‘Patensie Early’ and ‘Nadorcott’ trees, demonstrating the earlier rind color development of ‘Patensie Early’ fruit compared with ‘Nadorcott’ fruit under the same growing conditions.

FIG. 4 shows fruit from ‘Patensie Early’, ‘Nova’ (unpatented) and ‘Tango’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,863) trees, demonstrating the early color break of the rind of ‘Patensie Early’ compared with ‘Tango’, but similar to ‘Nova’.

FIG. 5 shows fully mature fruit from ‘Patensie Early’ (upper) and ‘Nadorcott’ (lower) trees, demonstrating the earlier rind color development of ‘Patensie Early’ fruit compared with ‘Nadorcott’ fruit under the same growing conditions as well as less ribbing/radial grooves.

FIG. 6 shows ‘Patensie Early’ trees in a trial plot in Patensie, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new mandarin based on observations taken of a 5 year-old specimen grown in trial beds outside in full sun in Patensie, Eastern Cape South Africa. The color descriptions are all based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 5^(th) edition, 2007.

-   Parentage: Spontaneous mutation of ‘Nadorcott’. -   Tree:     -   -   Ploidy.—Dipolid.         -   Size.—Same as ‘Nadorcott’.         -   Height.—3.5 m.         -   Tree spread.—2.3 m.         -   Vigor.—Strong.         -   Density.—Open to medium, similar to ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin.         -   Form.—Generally upright in the first 4 years followed by a             tendency to grow into more spherical shape in the following             years, similar to ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin. -   Trunk:     -   -   Trunk diameter.—17 cm in diameter at a height of 35 cm above             the ground, 5 year old tree.         -   Trunk texture.—Smooth, similar to ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin.         -   Trunk bark color.—RHS grey-brown N199A, similar to             ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin. -   Branches:     -   -   Branch length.—400 mm.         -   Branch diameter.—170 mm.         -   Branch texture.—Smooth.         -   Branch color.—RHS grey-brown N199A.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Thorniness.—Typically absent, rarely short spines (3 to 6 mm             in length). -   Roots: The roots are on rootstock Swingle Citrumelo. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size (lamina average).—Length: 78 mm. Width: 34.3 mm.         -   Leaf cross-section.—Concave.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Acute to obtuse with occasional and slight             emargination.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Margin undulation.—Not typically undulated.         -   Surface.—Upper surface: smooth. Lower surface: smooth.         -   Leaf blade twisting or blistering.—Does not typically occur.         -   Color.—Upper surface (apaxial): RHS green 137A. Lower             surface (abaxial): RHS yellow-green 146B; the leaves of             ‘Patensie Early’ are similar in leaf shape and size, but             slightly paler in color compared with leaves of ‘Nadorcott’             under the same condition.         -   Petiole.—Occasionally a small petiole is present; Length:             9.2 mm. Diameter: 1.4 mm. Color: RHS Green 137C.         -   Petiole wings.—Typically absent. -   Flowers and flower buds:     -   -   Type.—Clustered influorescent type.         -   Bearing.—Once per year.         -   Flower diameter.—6 mm.         -   Flower height.—13 mm.         -   Flower blooming period.—First bloom: Observed August 15,             Full bloom: Observed September 20 in Eastern Cape Province,             Patensie.         -   Number of flowers.—Normal single and cluster, same as             ‘Nadorcott’.         -   Color.—RHS green-white 1570.         -   Calyx.—3 to 5 mm in diameter.         -   Petal length and width.—10 to 13 mm×4 to 6 mm.         -   Petal color.—RHS Green-White 157C.         -   Anther color.—RHS Yellow-Orange 15C.         -   Pollen.—‘Patensie Early’ pollen is viable and capable of             cross-pollinating compatible varieties.         -   Style length.—6 to 8 mm.         -   Stamen length.—8 to 12 mm. -   Rostellum:     -   -   Length.—6 mm.         -   Thickness.—1 mm.         -   Color.—RHS Green 137A. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit clustering (infructescence).—Does not typically occur,             but occasionally fruit may set in clusters of 2 to 3 fruit,             rarely more.         -   Size.—Uniform.         -   Shape.—Slightly oblate, approximately 0.85 ratio of height             to width; less oblate and more round than ‘Nadorcott’             mandarin fruit; the broadest part of the fruit is in the             middle (equator) of the fruit.         -   Tall.—37 to 53 mm.         -   Width.—42 to 62 mm.         -   Average weight (per individual fruit).—90 g.         -   Texture.—The fruit surface is smooth and glossy, similar to             ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin fruit, except with less ribbing/radial             grooves at the stem-end than ‘Nadorcott’ fruit.         -   Oil glands.—The oil glands are conspicuous, slightly             depressed to flat, and of similar size with some larger oil             glands interspersed among them; there is no pebbling or             pitting on the fruit oil glands.         -   Fruit collar.—Absent.         -   Abscission layer between the floral disc and the fruit.—The             floral disc or calyx tightly adheres to the fruit and is             green in color (RHS Green 137A).         -   Stylar-end.—Slightly depressed stylar end with no navel or             stylar opening but an obvious areola; the stylar scar is             small, approximately 1 mm in diameter.         -   Style.—Non-persistent.         -   Areola.—Faint and smooth, 8 to 12 mm in diameter.         -   Color.—RHS orange N25B when fully mature, green fruit is RHS             yellow-green 147B; early color development than ‘Nadorcott’.         -   Harvesting.—First pick around October 6 (based on season and             rootstock); last pick around July 25 (based on season and             rootstock), in South Africa, Eastern Cape Province,             Patensie. Approximately 3 weeks earlier than ‘Nadorcott’             under the same growing conditions.         -   Productivity.—Good (30 to 50 kg per tree on 4- and             5-year-old trees), similar to ‘Nadorcott’.         -   Parthenocarpy.—‘Patensie Early’ exhibits parthenocarpic             fruit set ability.         -   Self-incompatibility.—‘Patensie Early’ is self-incompatible,             producing seedless fruit in the absence of             cross-pollination. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Adherence.—Easy peeling when fruit are mature.         -   Thickness.—2.5 to 3.0 mm; typically slightly thinner than             ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin.         -   Texture.—Smooth with less ribbing/radial grooves at the             stem-end compared with ‘Nadorcott’ fruit which typically             have ribbing at the stem-end.         -   Color.—Earlier rind color development compared with             ‘Nadorcott’; Flavedo (epicarp) orange when fully mature (RHS             orange N25B); Albedo (mesocarp): RHS orange 24D.         -   Albedo density.—Medium.         -   Albedo adherence.—Upon peeling the fruit, very little albedo             adheres to the outer segment walls, however, typically one             albedo strand per fruit segment remains. -   Fruit flesh:     -   -   Flesh (pulp) texture.—Smooth.         -   Flesh (pulp) color.—RHS orange-red N30D.         -   Central core.—Closed.         -   Number of segments.—9 to 11 fully developed segments which             are easily separated from one another; rudimentary segments             are typically absent.         -   Segment walls.—Tender.         -   Internal navel.—Absent.         -   Juice vesicles.—Vary in length according to fruit size;             typically 20 to 30 mm.         -   Juice content.—Typically +50% when fully mature.         -   Eating quality.—Typically +12° Brix and 1.0 to 1.2% acidity             at maturity with lower acidity than ‘Nadorcott’ when             ‘Patensie Early’ is at optimal fruit maturity. -   Seeds:     -   -   Number.—Zero when not cross pollinate by compatible pollen;             numerous seeds when cross-pollinated by compatible pollen.         -   Embryony.—Polyembryonic.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Seed coat color.—Grey-yellow 162D, similar to ‘Nadorcott’.         -   Cotyledon color.—Greyed-yellow 163D, similar to ‘Nadorcott’.         -   Length and width.—10 to 12 mm×3 mm. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of mandarin tree, substantially as herein shown and described. 